In my state you cannot drive with a loaded rifle in your car so I picked the 795. Also mags can be replaced much easier than a tube and lifter in case of problems and jams are easier to clear.
From a safety perspective, the 795 is the preferred format. Drop mag and open bolt and the rifle is unloaded. The tube requires more fiddling, some of which is in front of the muzzle. I am not sure if the M60 has an auto bolt open function, but the 795 does and that is a plus. Mag catch is rudimentary, but generally works OK and is not likely to be accidentally released.
Meh.
Again, safety is as safety does.
Open the bolt, good to go. Load/unload appropriately.
Safety is relative, and what it REALLY depends upon is people's understanding of how their firearm is designed and how it works.
To me, this is like saying "the preferred format in revolvers is the cylinder release" over revolvers with a loading port, because you can flip out the cylinder and see all six chambers at once.
The preferred format is ALWAYS understanding how the firearm works and applying safe handling accordingly.
I will grant, however, a preference for certain functional characteristics on the individual level. But not in general.
That actually surprised me the first time I unloaded a model 60. I started with a Nylon 66 and just assumed they operated the same. Droped the tube, and loose bullets pulled the handle back and it went forward again pulled it back and another shell popped out.I agree to a point. There is a very distinct difference in the way that the marlin guns work than with many semiauto 22s. The bolt handle on the 60 platform and similar rifles derived from the 60 serves a dual function in charging and locking open the bolt. Simple and effective, however this creates a safety issue. Not a concern, but a legit issue. Can be overcome, but it is NOT intuitive, even for gun experienced folks.
To unload a 60 and make it safe, you have 2 options. Put safety on and run every round through the chamber until it’s empty, or you put the safety on, remove the inner tube, dump remaining rounds into X (hand, hat, bowl) replace the inner tube, and eject the chambered round. The first way is time consuming, the second way is quicker but mentally you have confirmation of a safe unloaded gun because you cleared the mag, and you cleared the chamber, but you are mistaken. The way a 60 works is that rounds feed into the mechanism and stay there. You have at least 1 more if not 2 more rounds in the gun which will feed into the chamber when you eject the chambered round. Can you chalk this up to a design understanding and therefore it’s OK because you understand it... yeah probably so, but it is far more complicated and less intuitive than the 795 where you drop magazine and empty chamber with visual confirmation that all is clear in a single glance.
Chief, I will yield to your experience with humans using their mental ability to ensure safe operations.The preferred format is ALWAYS understanding how the firearm works and applying safe handling accordingly.
Chief, I will yield to your experience with humans using their mental ability to ensure safe operations.
I apologize, I did not initially intend to be an a-hole, but I found the laughing smiley and could not help myself.
I don't argue with that, but try to find a correct proper push tube and lifter parts for a rifle made in the 1940's. I have two of them.I have a total of 3 Marlin Model 60's. A 1985 model, (18 round capacity), and a 50th Anniversary Model, (15 round capacity). And a Stainless Steel grey laminated stock model, (15 round capacity). All 3 run like scalded dogs, and are very accurate.
I think in general tubular magazine fed .22's are less prone to feeding issues and bullet deformation, (which degrades accuracy), than detachable magazine fed .22's are. The exception is the Ruger 10/22 with it's excellent 10 shot rotary magazine. Now there are even 25 round models available for the Ruger 10/22.
But I've come across a lot of detachable magazine .22's over the years that have had issues. Another thing is if the gun is discontinued. If you lose or damage the magazine, you're basically out of luck, and have a single shot rifle.
Back in 1985 I bought a beautiful Medallion Grade Browning A-Bolt .22. It is without question the most beautiful .22 I own. A few years after I bought it an outfit was having a closeout on A-Bolt .22 magazines. Both 5 round, and 15 round capacity models. I bought 6 of each. I really didn't want to spend the money at the time. But now I'm very glad I did, because they are all but impossible to find at ANY price.
While there is nothing "wrong" with detachable magazine fed .22's, I think a tubular magazine model is always preferable. I remember back in the 70's Weatherby made a beautiful high grade .22 semi auto in both tube feed, as well as detachable magazine feed. The tube fed models are more desirable, because again, finding magazines for the detachable magazine fed model is all but impossible. And expensive as hell if you do.
I don't argue with that, but try to find a correct proper push tube and lifter parts for a rifle made in the 1940's. I have two of them.
Model 60. Load it once and shoot it until next week. Never liked magazines that stick out of the bottom of a rifle.
With a bottom feeder you never have your hand in front of the muzzle (if you are one of the “never point a firearm at something you are not willing to destroy, kind of guys), the tube mag is a lot more difficult to misplace or drop (if you have ever had to look for your keys, wallet or remote control kind of guy).
The old 60’s held 17+1. New 60’s hold 14+1. Old 99’s, the precursor to the 60, held only 10+1
The 60’s you’d buy on the shelf today, or any time in the last 20 years at least, would be 14+1.
The 99M1 holds 9+1
4:00 into this video.
And that guy has over 4 and a half million people as subscribers to him enjoying his hobby. Not exactly a new kid to firearms.
Vs, :50 into this one
What one do you think would be easier for “stupid” people to keep in a safe direction while loading?
Not knocking the rifle, I have had my Model 60 since they were $69 at Kmart as well as other semiautomatic, bolt, pump and lever action, tube fed rifles. Just making an observation from decades of owning tube fed rifles and watching people.
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